Full Notification

Two days ago, we arrested the wife of a former deputy who back in December resigned before being terminated for two stolen firearms that belong to the Sheriff’s Office.  The two stolen pistols have not been found and are still a potential danger to the public and law-enforcement.   The investigation is ongoing and there is a very strong possibility that another arrest may occur.  I have also terminated an employee in reference to this case and have demoted several others.   It is a possibility that more employees at the Sheriff’s Office may be disciplined as well.

Before this occurs,  it is important that we disclose the facts of what got us to this point so that when any further action occurs, the false antics in the media by this family can be laid to rest.  

The following is the investigation summary written by Deputy Sargeant Joseph Spain which led to the arrests of the former deputy’s wife:

SUMMARY

The husband of Mrs. Gerrian S. Hawes, Mr. Robert Hawes, is a former employee of the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office.  In late 2017, Mr. Hawes was the subject of a Clayton County Sheriff’s Office internal affairs administrative investigation concerning the circumstances surrounding two missing Sheriff’s Office firearms that were assigned to Mr. Hawes during his employment.  During the investigation Mr. Hawes admitted to lying to investigators regarding the whereabouts of the firearms in an attempt to protect his son, who, along with his friends, were now suspected of having stolen the firearms.  Mr. Hawes’ employment was subsequently terminated on or about December 11, 2017.  

Mrs. Gerrian Hawes contacted Sheriff Hill via e-mail on December 19, 2017 and asked if Mr. Hawes’ law enforcement POST record could be changed to show he resigned, rather than resigned in lieu of termination.  Sheriff Hill replied via e-mail stating that it was inappropriate for her to e-mail him regarding her husband’s employment status and that she was asking Sheriff Hill to lie, which he would not do.  Sheriff Hill stated that he would not change the employment status and asked that Gerrian Hawes not communicate with him again on the matter.  Later that same day, Gerrian Hawes e-mailed Sheriff Hill again regarding her earlier request.

On July 30, 2018, a warrant was issued by the Henry County Magistrate Court for the arrest of Gerrian Hawes and Mr. Hawes’ son.  The Henry County Sheriff’s Office forwarded the warrant to the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office to attempt service.  A Clayton County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant informed Mr. Hawes that a warrant had been issued for his son.  This reduced the chances of recovering the previously stolen firearms and increased the risk associated with serving said warrant.  A Sheriff’s Office administrative investigation was conducted during which the Lieutenant was found to have been untruthful.  The Lieutenant was subsequently terminated.  

On August 9, 2018, Sheriff Hill sent an e-mail to all Clayton County Sheriff’s Office employees announcing the termination of the Lieutenant, and explaining the circumstances surrounding the situation; including the prior events involving former employee Mr. Hawes and his son as a suspect in the stolen Sheriff’s Office firearms, the events surrounding the issuance of the warrant for his son, and also noted that the Mr. Hawes investigation would be forwarded to the Clayton County District Attorney’s Office for review.

One day later, on August 10, 2018, at approximately 1304 hours, Gerrian Hawes e-mailed Sheriff Hill, “Where there is love, FEAR can NOT exist.”  There had been no recent contact with Gerrian Hawes prior to this e-mail.  Sheriff Hill responded via e-mail, “Mrs. Hawes, unless you are contacting me to return the Sheriff’s Office stolen guns, please refrain from emailing me. Thank you in advance.”  

On August 10, 2018, at approximately 1501 hours, Gerrian Hawes e-mailed Sheriff Hill, and copied all Sheriff Hill had previously copied, the following: “See what happens when fear is the forerunner. Love CONQUERS ALL.  I am a citizen of Clayton County and it is my right and privilege as a voter to spread love to my elected officials. Blessings to you and you entire command staff.”  Sheriff Hill responded via e-mail, “I asked you nicely to stop. Your emails is condescending and of a harassing nature.  Unless you want to work with the Sheriff’s Office to return the two guns your son stole we have nothing to talk about.  If you keep harassing me, I will let the courts decide on you as well.  I suggest you govern yourself accordingly.”

On August 10, 2018, at approximately 1548 hours, Gerrian Hawes e-mailed Sheriff Hill, and copied all previously copied recipients, “How is sending thoughts of love and peace condescending and harassing? Now I feel threatened and harassed by you.  All of our great leaders, Even Jesus himself asks us to walk in love.  Sending blessings and well wishes are NOT condescending.  In my talks with citizens, their greatest frustrations with law enforcement officials is those law enforcement officials using the law for their personal vendettas.  I’ve done nothing but wish you well.  And because you misinterpreted an innocent email, You are threatening me with the law.  The law is not a personal tool for you or anyone else to use just because I sent an email filled with words of exhortation.  I end this email conversation the way I started it.  >>>Where there is love, FEAR can NOT exist. Yours Truly, Gerrian Hawes”.  Sheriff Hill replied via e-mail, “Ma’am I have kindly asked you to stop.  This is the third time I am kindly asking you to stop.  On your next email to me, we will test your interpretation of the law by letting a Judge look at your emails.  We will see if they agree with you.”

On August 10, 2018, at 1658 hours, Gerrian Hawes e-mailed Sheriff Hill again and copied all previously copied recipients, “I sincerely apologize if I hurt your feelings. I was honestly sending words of love like I did in the below emails:  Have a blessed weekend.”  The email appears to include a previous email from July 5, 2016 from e-mail address “[email protected]” on an unrelated matter.  In response, Sheriff Hill sent an e-mail response to Gerrian Hawes, and sent a copy to Sheriff’s Office Internal Affairs personnel instructing them to compile the e-mails as evidence and any other pertinent information to present to a Judge.

On August 10, 2018, at approximately 1741 hours, Gerrian Hawes e-mailed the following to all recipients to the e-mail conversation chain, including Sheriff Hill, “Sgt Spain, Blessings to you.”  

On August 10, 2018, at approximately 1745 hours, Gerrian Hawes sent another e-mail to all recipients of the e-mail conversation chain, including Sheriff Hill, which stated, “I have all of the emails, I am sending them now.”  

On August 10, 2018, at approximately 1750 hours, Gerrian Hawes sent another e-mail to all recipients of the e-mail conversation chain, including Sheriff Hill, which stated, “Not sure if you got this Sgt. This is a resend. I have all of the emails, and am forwarding to you as well.  Gerrian”

Affidavit:

Said accused, Gerrian S. Hawes (DOB: 06/20/1957), did, on Friday, August 10, 2018, at approximately 1548 hours, and several times thereafter, commit the offense of Harassing Communications (OCGA 16-11-39.1) in Clayton County, Georgia by repeatedly contacting Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill via e-mail for the purposes of harassing him regarding the previous termination of her husband’s employment with the Sheriff’s Office, even after Sheriff Hill requested she stop on three separate occasions.  Sheriff Hill was in Clayton County, Georgia at the time he received the e-mails.

PROBABLE CAUSE:

Gerrian Hawes contacted Sheriff Victor Hill via e-mail for the purposes of harassing him regarding her husband’s termination from the Sheriff’s Office.  Sheriff Hill requested three separate times that Gerrian Hawes cease all e-mail communications with him.  In spite of this, Gerrian Hawes continued to e-mail Sheriff Hill multiple times for the purposes of harassing him, thereby violating OCGA 16-11-39.1 (Harassing Communications).  I have obtained and reviewed all relevant e-mails.

The following is a copy of all email transmissions related to this case:

Based on the totality of the circumstances, the emails were not intended to send peace and blessings.  The media antics by this family in an attempt to discourage the Sheriff’s Office on moving forward on this and the other criminal matter in addition to the stolen weapons will be ignored.

If anyone has any information that can help recover the two 380 Glock handguns that were stolen from the Sheriff’s Office, please contact us at 770-477-4479.

Sheriff Victor Hill